Larynx Definition
What is larynx? Talking about the larynx definition, it is structure lying just at the top of trachea. It plays a significant role in the production of vocal sounds. The larynx is also responsible for the protection of windpipe against the entry of food particles.
Owing to its great contribution to phonation, it is also known as voice box or sound apparatus. The voice box contains vocal cords.
In human adults, it lies at the level of third to sixth vertebrae of the cervical region. But in newborn babies, it is at a higher position. That is, here you will find it at the point of second to third vertebrae. As you can see in the larynx pictures,
Larynx covers the tracheal opening through a flexible flap, i.e. epiglottis. The epiglottis sits on the aperture like a lid. To learn more about larynx definition and function, just go through the rest of the article.
Larynx covers the tracheal opening through a flexible flap, i.e. epiglottis. The epiglottis sits on the aperture like a lid. To learn more about larynx definition and function, just go through the rest of the article.
Parts of Larynx
After learning the larynx definition, you need to proceed to its parts. The larynx cartilage makes up the structure of the sound apparatus. There are nine laryngeal cartilages in the skeleton of this body part. Out of nine cartilages, six appear in the form of pairs. While the other three remain single. The unpaired cartilages are cricoids, thyroid and epiglottis.
On the other hand, the cuneiform, corniculate and arytenoids are three paired ones. However, talking of the interior of sound apparatus, you can distinguish it into three divisions, viz. subglottis, glottis and supraglottis.
Meanwhile, there are also a number of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles that are present in the region. These muscular structures facilitate the functioning of the organ in various ways. For example, the intrinsic cricothyroid muscles help in the stretching and elongation of the vocal folds.
Different types of sensory and motor nerves innervate various muscular structures of larynx. They include vagus, superior laryngeal and recurrent laryngeal nerves. The vocal folds of voice box are of two types, i.e. false and true.
Here the former do not contain muscle and have nothing to do with the production of sound. But they play their role in the resonance. The true mucosal folds, on the other hand, do have skeletal muscle and play an active role in phonation.
On the other hand, the cuneiform, corniculate and arytenoids are three paired ones. However, talking of the interior of sound apparatus, you can distinguish it into three divisions, viz. subglottis, glottis and supraglottis.
Meanwhile, there are also a number of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles that are present in the region. These muscular structures facilitate the functioning of the organ in various ways. For example, the intrinsic cricothyroid muscles help in the stretching and elongation of the vocal folds.
Different types of sensory and motor nerves innervate various muscular structures of larynx. They include vagus, superior laryngeal and recurrent laryngeal nerves. The vocal folds of voice box are of two types, i.e. false and true.
Here the former do not contain muscle and have nothing to do with the production of sound. But they play their role in the resonance. The true mucosal folds, on the other hand, do have skeletal muscle and play an active role in phonation.
